Having type 2 diabetes can increase your chances of developing this sometimes life-threatening condition, obstructive sleep apnea.

1. ?What is it?

• occurs when part of your upper airway collapses preventing you from breathing in oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide
• the commonest cause is over relaxation of throat muscles which allows your upper airway to sag or your tongue to fall backwards
• you are a likely candidate if you are overweight, especially if you carry excess weight around your abdomen (apple shape)
• enlarged tonsils, adenoids, or thyroid can also play a role.

Partial blockage to the airway usually results in loud snoring. ?When the airway is completely obstructed your breathing stops. ?Carbon dioxide builds up in your blood and this then signals the brain to restart the breathing process. ?Your airway opens up again with a gasp; this may abruptly awaken you with shortness of breath. ?You may make a snorting, choking or grasping sound. ?This pattern may reoccur 20 to 30 times or more each hour and all night long. ?This prevents you reaching a deep, restful phase of sleep and you will probably have excessive daytime sleepiness.?

2. ?Who gets sleep apnea?

• is more common in men than women
• most commonly affects older men and especially those who are overweight though not always
• those with a neck circumference greater than 17 inches (43cm) are at risk because a thick neck may narrow the airway
• is relatively common in people with high blood pressure
• women are more at risk after menopause
• occurs with the use of alcohol, sedatives or tranquilizers
• is three times more common in people who have type 2 diabetes than in those who don’t

3. ?Signs and Symptoms:

• waking up feeling drunk even though you have had no alcohol
• waking up with a startled sensation of choking and fighting for air
• morning headaches
• excessive daytime sleepiness
• lack of concentration
• feeling irritable
• poor memory
• anxiety or depression

In addition to causing a range of problems that affects your day-to-day performance, sleep apnea also increases your risk of heart failure, coronary heart disease or stroke.

Ask you health care provider about diagnosis and treatment of any sleep problems that leaves you chronically fatigued, sleepy and irritable. Obstructive sleep apnea is common in people with type 2 diabetes and, the stress you feel the following day, may make it more difficult to maintain stable blood glucose levels.

• Diabetes Risk and Sleep - What's the Connection?
• What is a Normal Blood Sugar Level?
• Diabetic Food Pyramid Guide
• Can You Die From a Diabetic Coma?
• Stress Management And Its Positive Effects on Reducing the Symptoms of Diabetes

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